For those living with Multiple Sclerosis, being able to carry out day to day activities independently is a major goal of therapy. Achieving these goals offers a significant increase in their quality of life, and greatly reduces the need for professional help and support. MS sufferer Anne Hodder (51) has seen first hand the benefits of exploring additional therapies to improve her condition.

Like many others living with MS, Anne was keen to find a way to enhance her quality of life with minimal medical intervention or reliance on drugs, and she researched a wide variety of alternative and conventional treatments to help alleviate her debilitating symptoms. Her research led her to try Power Plate® exercise and after just ten sessions, Anne noticed a huge difference:

“There is no doubt that it is making my legs stronger,” she commented. “Since I was diagnosed with MS my balance has been greatly affected but I have not fallen over at all since I began using my Power Plate® machine. I feel so much steadier on my feet and confident in myself. The endorphin release is incredible and I feel great. I have tried many different ways, methods, alternatives, and therapies to help myself, but until last year nothing seemed to make any significant difference. I was simply amazed by the fantastic physical and positive effect the Power Plate® machine had on my body and mental state.”

An MS Clinic in Malmo, Sweden, performed a pilot study in February 2007, using exercise protocols designed by the Power Plate International Research Development Education and Training (RDET) team. This study backs up Anne’s experience, and indicates that Acceleration Training™ exercise can improve postural control, balance, mobility, muscle strength and endurance among Multiple Sclerosis sufferers.

Ten MS patients, outpatients from a physical therapy clinic, with moderate to severe disability took part in the study. They performed 10 sets of squats, lunges, upper body and stretching exercises each lasting 30 seconds on a Power Plate® machine, twice a week for 12 weeks. The effects of the training were measured using a variety of tests, performed one week before the training programme, and again one week after the programme. Results showed significant group improvements in “short” activities that use “explosive” strength and co-ordination: a timed “get up and go” test, a nine hole peg test and the “rise and sit down” test. It could be concluded that the majority of the patients maintained or even improved both their functioning and performance levels, indicating the positive benefits that could be gained with anacceleratedexercise programme.

The results of this pilot study indicate that Acceleration Training exercise may positively influence postural control, balance, mobility, strength, and endurance in Multiple Sclerosis patients, and concur with results from other studies.

Anne continues to go from strength to strength. After working out in the Power Plate® studio for some time, Anne purchased her own machine in April 2007 and is enjoying her new workout regime at home.

“I think using the Power Plate® machine regularly will keep me strong and keep me out of a wheelchair. If my muscles are stronger when I do have an attack I hope my strength will support me.”

The Power Plate® machine works by transferring vibrations to muscles, which naturally activates reflexive muscle contractions. Different poses such as a squat, bicep curl or stomach crunch are held on the machine’s vibrating platform for up to 60 seconds at a time, activating multiple muscle groups simultaneously to stretch tone or strengthen, and enabling you to target particular areas of the body. Acceleration Training™ exerciseis low impact, enabling anyone, regardless of their age or fitness level, to benefit from a fast and effective workout without putting strain on joints or other parts of the body.

Acceleration Training exercise on the Power Plate® machine offers a wide range of benefits, and you can notice the difference in as little as three short sessions per week. Regular training can help improve muscle strength and tone, flexibility, range of motion and circulation, and enhance metabolism to aid weight loss. Exercising on the Power Plate®my3 model can also help to reduce sports injuries, speed up rehabilitation and shorten healing time; it is also used by many sports professionals from a range of disciplines for stretching, warming up, massage and relaxation purposes.

About Power Plate® Equipment and Acceleration Training™ exercise

Acceleration Training exercise is based on Rhythmic Neuromuscular Stimulation (RNS) dating back to the 1960s when Professor W. Biermann, from the former East German Republic, described ‘cyclical vibrations’ capable of improving the condition of the joints relatively quickly.

Russian scientist, Vladimir Nazarov, became the first person to utilise Acceleration Training exercise in its most modern application – Biomechanical Stimulation (BMS). With this technology, he was able to investigate involuntary muscle contractions and involuntary movement.

As the theories of Acceleration Training exercise developed, Russian ballet dancers with minor muscle injuries such as Achilles Tendonitis discovered that vibration aided the healing process. They also found that their muscular strength and jump height increased with only a quarter of the effort or time required by traditional training methods. Since then many athletes have discovered the benefits of AccelerationTraining exercise.

Power Plate® machines are now used by a wide range of people from athletes looking to improve their performance, to individuals attempting to improve their fitness and wellbeing, and those who have a disability or illness that can be relieved or alleviated by AccelerationTraining exercise.

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